Activation of CD8 T cells with specificity for mycobacterial heat shock protein 60 in Mycobacterium bovis bacillus calmette- guerin-vaccinated mice

Abstract

Heat shock protein 60 (hsp60)-specific CD8 T cells lysed Mycobacterium bovis BCG-infected macrophages in vitro and adoptively transferred protection against mycobacterial infection. Moreover, CD8 T cells with this hsp60 specificity were activated in vivo by BCG vaccination. Our studies suggest there is participation of hsp60-specific CD8 T cells in BCG-induced immunity.